12 Interesting Facts About Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are probably some of the most annoying insects on the planet. Not only are they annoying, but they can also carry diseases some of which are actually deadly.

Even though mosquitoes drive us all crazy, we can’t help but be interested in some unique facts about these buzzing, blood-sucking insects, and here is a list of 12 interesting facts about mosquitoes.

1. Mosquitoes Are Attracted to Our Breath

Mosquitoes seek out carbon dioxide which we release every time we exhale. That’s why we often see mosquitoes buzzing around our heads. Mosquitoes can actually sense carbon dioxide from 50 yards away, so it’s pretty hard to hide from them when we’re outdoors.

2. Mosquitoes Are Confused by Certain Scents

Some scents, like mint and caramelized chocolate, make it more difficult for mosquitoes to sniff out carbon dioxide. Keeping mosquitoes away by chocolate? Yes, please.

3. Females Mosquitoes Are Aggressive

The biters are all female mosquitoes. Because females need protein for their eggs, it’s the females who feed on blood. Male mosquitoes don’t worry about such things, so they actually feed on nectar from flowers.

4. Mosquitoes Like Your Sweat

Mosquitoes are attracted to the mix of sweat and bacteria, which means dried sweat is an especially tempting scent for the blood-thirsty insects. Mosquitoes carrying malaria are especially attracted to the scent of sweat.

5. It’s Her Spit That Makes You Itch

It’s clever, really. A mosquito needs a few minutes to fill up on your blood. How can she do that if your blood clots? So her spit acts an anticoagulant, letting her have a nice, smooth flow of blood for her meal. It’s the saliva she leaves behind that makes you itch.

Not only that, but her spit puts in a local anesthetic so you don’t feel her feeding. When do you typically feel her then? When she’s pulling out, her belly already full of your delicious blood.

6. Mosquitoes Are Slow Flyers

When it comes to flying, mosquitoes are one of the slowest insects, flying only at 1 to 1.5 miles per hour (compared to the honeybee, which flies up to 15 miles per hour).

7. Mosquitoes Are the Deadliest Animal in the World

Mosquitoes cause more deaths than any other animal on the planet. Mosquitoes spread malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and encephalitis. And because one mosquito can infect more than 100 people, the mosquito’s deadly reach is devastating.

Four-legged creatures aren’t exempt from the threat of mosquitoes either. Mosquitoes carry heartworm which can seriously affect the health of your pets and even kill dogs.

8. Some Mosquitoes Don’t Bite Humans

We’re all extremely annoyed with mosquitoes, enough so that we sometimes feel like we’re the only snack they prefer, but did you know some mosquitoes actually leave us alone? That’s right. Some species only go after birds or amphibians and reptiles.

9. The Wings of Mosquitoes Make the Buzzing Sound

That buzzing sound in your ear? The one that drives you insane? It’s a result of rapid wing beating. A mosquito beats its wings 300 to 600 times per second.

10. Wing Beats are the Language of Love

When a male and female mosquito meet and decide to mate, their wing beats actually synchronize to the same speed. How romantic.

11. Adult Mosquitoes Can Live Up to 6 Months

Assuming the mosquito doesn’t meet its demise by a hand slap, an adult can live up to six months which is actually a pretty long time in the bug world.

12. Water is Essential for Breeding

A female mosquito must deposit her eggs in water, and they develop quickly. It only takes a few inches of water, so if you want to keep mosquitoes away from your home, be sure to regularly dump any standing water on your property.

Although mosquitoes are interesting little pests to learn about, the fact of the matter is that no one likes having to deal with them. They’re annoying, they hurt, and they spread diseases and sometimes even cause deaths. Get rid of mosquitoes in your home and yard with effective mosquito control from Barefoot Mosquito Control System.

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Barefoot Mosquito Control SystemI've using Barefoot for a about a year now and their product is incredible. Once a month we have the same service technician come out who is super polite and courteous and does a great job at explaining the products and how they work. We use them for mosquito control as we back up to a pipeline which often has sitting water and were overridden with mosquitoes. Since we have used them I can honestly say we've lived mosquito free in our yard which is great when you have a dog and 18 month old who run around out there! I would highly recommend their service to anyone!!Drew HaidMosquito Control